Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Metz
Thomas A. Metz 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).
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Publication number: 20250012454Abstract: A system includes: at least one household appliance for installation in a furniture item having a receiving space for the at least one household appliance and a door that is movable back and forth between a closed position and an open position, a receiving space opening of the receiving space with the at least one household appliance completely arranged therein being completely covered by the door in the closed position, and in the open position of the door accessible to the receiving space by a user of the system by the receiving space opening; and a safety device that, in a secured state of the safety device, depending on a presence of at least one previously defined operating state of the at least one household appliance, prevents the door from being transferred into the closed position and/or allows the door to be fully automatically transferred from the closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2024Publication date: January 9, 2025Inventors: Thomas METZ, Christian BOEHM, Gunnar BORGELT
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Publication number: 20240328095Abstract: A method for producing an artificial turf comprises providing a carrier material and a plurality of fibers, each fiber having ends extending from the top of the carrier material and having a connected region arranged in a loop-like manner at the bottom of the carrier material. The carrier material is fed with the fibers to a heated rotating calender roller and guided over at least one sub-region of the surface of the heated rotating calender roller, with the connected regions of the fibers and the bottom of the carrier material facing the calender roller. The method further includes, during the guiding step, transferring heat from the heated rotating calender roller to the carrier 10 material and the fibers, fusing the connected regions of the fibers with the bottom of the carrier material to form the artificial turf, and embossing the bottom of the artificial turf.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2024Publication date: October 3, 2024Inventors: Jürgen Morton-Finger, Ulrich Berghaus, Gregory T. Randall, Thomas Metz
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Patent number: 11662099Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for providing an electrically operated fireplace that includes a one or more display panels, one or more reflective surfaces inclined at an angle with respect to the one or more display panels to reflect the video images of a flame displayed by the one or more display panels. One or more filters or privacy screens are disposed proximate the one or more display panels. Beneficially, the electrically operated fireplaces disclosed herein do not require the use of moving parts, such as a rotating mirror, to provide the images of the flames. Further, since video images are used to provide the flame effect, the flame effect may be varied simply by loading a new video image into the memory portion of the control circuitry used to provide the flame display.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2021Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Solas, LLCInventors: Andrew Thomas Metz, David Patrick Moynihan
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Patent number: 11532304Abstract: A method for controlling operation of an appliance by a user through voice control includes at least the steps of: detecting, by the appliance, a control action performed by the user on the appliance; activating a voice control system by the appliance; capturing, by the voice control system, a voice input from the user as a captured voice input; recognizing, by the voice control system, a piece of information and/or an instruction in the captured voice input from the user as a recognized information and/or instruction; and executing, by the voice control system, a user control action on the appliance in accordance with the recognized information and/or instruction.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2020Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: MIELE & CIE. KGInventors: Volker Ennen, Thomas Metz, Daniel Ebke
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Patent number: 11525677Abstract: The present invention relates to a surveying apparatus for surveying an object as well as a surveying system comprising the surveying apparatus having a simple and compact optical setup. The surveying apparatus comprises a lens arrangement including at least one movably arranged focus lens element for focusing to sight an object; an imaging unit configured to obtain an image of at least a part of the object; a distance measuring unit configured to measure a distance to the object along the optical axis of the distance measuring unit; and a beam splitter/combiner configured to combine a part of the optical imaging path of the imaging unit and a part of the optical distance measuring path of the distance measuring unit so that the optical axis of the imaging unit and the optical axis of the distance measuring unit are at least coaxially arranged with the optical axis of the lens arrangement between the lens arrangement and the beam splitter/combiner.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2019Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: Trimble Jena GmbHInventors: Michael Vogel, Rolf Richter, Thomas Metz, Andreas Glimm, Torsten Kludas, Ute Natura
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Publication number: 20220170642Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for providing an electrically operated fireplace that includes a one or more display panels, one or more reflective surfaces inclined at an angle with respect to the one or more display panels to reflect the video images of a flame displayed by the one or more display panels. One or more filters or privacy screens are disposed proximate the one or more display panels. Beneficially, the electrically operated fireplaces disclosed herein do not require the use of moving parts, such as a rotating mirror, to provide the images of the flames. Further, since video images are used to provide the flame effect, the flame effect may be varied simply by loading a new video image into the memory portion of the control circuitry used to provide the flame display.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2021Publication date: June 2, 2022Inventors: Andrew Thomas Metz, David Patrick Moynihan
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Patent number: 10914299Abstract: A diaphragm pump for pneumatic high-pressure delivery of 1 to 10 MPa of fluidised dusts, in which filling occurs from below via pneumatic suction by hydraulic reciprocating movement of the diaphragm and also by applying a negative pressure. The dust is held in a loosened fluidised state over the entire pump operation, wherein the high-pressure gas requirement is low. A drive of the diaphragm pump by a hydraulic pressure intensifier and multiple diaphragm pumps are operated in a phase-displaced manner with respect to each other. A dust delivery system which uses the diaphragm pump is operated with a low drive power.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2016Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: Dipl. Ing. Ernst Schmitz GmbH & Co. KG Maschinen und ApparatebauInventors: Frank Hannemann, Thomas Metz, Sebastian Rahm
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Publication number: 20200411001Abstract: A method for controlling operation of an appliance by a user through voice control includes at least the steps of: detecting, by the appliance, a control action performed by the user on the appliance; activating a voice control system by the appliance; capturing, by the voice control system, a voice input from the user as a captured voice input; recognizing, by the voice control system, a piece of information and/or an instruction in the captured voice input from the user as a recognized information and/or instruction; and executing, by the voice control system, a user control action on the appliance in accordance with the recognized information and/or instruction.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2020Publication date: December 31, 2020Inventors: Volker Ennen, Thomas Metz, Daniel Ebke
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Publication number: 20200124417Abstract: The present invention relates to a surveying apparatus for surveying an object as well as a surveying system comprising the surveying apparatus having a simple and compact optical setup. The surveying apparatus comprises a lens arrangement including at least one movably arranged focus lens element for focusing to sight an object; an imaging unit configured to obtain an image of at least a part of the object; a distance measuring unit configured to measure a distance to the object along the optical axis of the distance measuring unit; and a beam splitter/combiner configured to combine a part of the optical imaging path of the imaging unit and a part of the optical distance measuring path of the distance measuring unit so that the optical axis of the imaging unit and the optical axis of the distance measuring unit are at least coaxially arranged with the optical axis of the lens arrangement between the lens arrangement and the beam splitter/combiner.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Inventors: Michael Vogel, Rolf Richter, Thomas Metz, Andreas Glimm, Torsten Kludas, Ute Natura
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Patent number: 10278532Abstract: A household appliance includes: a treatment chamber for receiving goods to be treated, the treatment chamber having a bottom for collecting condensed water from a treatment process, the bottom of the treatment chamber having, on its side facing away from the treatment chamber, at least one flat heating element which heats the bottom of the treatment chamber in at least some regions by at least one electrical heating element, and evaporates the condensed water collected there into the treatment chamber. The electrical heating element includes a heating layer. The at least one flat heating element includes an electrical measuring element including a measuring layer.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2017Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: MIELE & CIE. KGInventor: Thomas Metz
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Publication number: 20190063419Abstract: A diaphragm pump for pneumatic high-pressure delivery of 1 to 10 MPa of fluidised dusts, in which filling occurs from below via pneumatic suction by hydraulic reciprocating movement of the diaphragm and also by applying a negative pressure. The dust is held in a loosened fluidised state over the entire pump operation, wherein the high-pressure gas requirement is low. A drive of the diaphragm pump by a hydraulic pressure intensifier and multiple diaphragm pumps are operated in a phase-displaced manner with respect to each other. A dust delivery system which uses the diaphragm pump is operated with a low drive power.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2016Publication date: February 28, 2019Applicant: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Frank Hannemann, Thomas Metz, Sebastian Rahm
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Patent number: 10088569Abstract: Optical system for tracking and visually examining a target, comprising an image sensor and a lens arrangement having a variable position relative to the image sensor to project an image of the target onto the image sensor, a light source for emitting light in a predetermined wavelength range in the direction of the target and a filter switch for switching an optical filter for selectively allowing the light in the predetermined wavelength range to pass through to the image sensor into and out of the optical path to optionally perform a visual examination and monitoring of the tracking. A tracking device is provided to perform the tracking of the target using the reflected light in the predetermined wavelength range in a sequence of images held by the image sensor when the first optical filter is switched into the optical path.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2014Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: Trimble Jena GmbHInventors: Michael Vogel, Thomas Metz, Torsten Kludas, Ute Natura
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Publication number: 20180125282Abstract: A household appliance includes: a treatment chamber for receiving goods to be treated, the treatment chamber having a bottom for collecting condensed water from a treatment process, the bottom of the treatment chamber having, on its side facing away from the treatment chamber, at least one flat heating element which heats the bottom of the treatment chamber in at least some regions by at least one electrical heating element, and evaporates the condensed water collected there into the treatment chamber. The electrical heating element includes a heating layer. The at least one flat heating element includes an. electrical measuring element including a measuring layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2017Publication date: May 10, 2018Inventor: Thomas Metz
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Patent number: 9839076Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a cooking chamber with cooking chamber wall, a microwave heat source configured to heat food, and a support device configured to hold a food-supporting member. The cooking chamber wall includes an opening and a lead-through device, and the lead-through device includes a through-hole configured to receive a fastening element of the support device. A tubular guide portion is formed at the through-hole of the lead-through device, and the tubular guide portion includes a safety portion configured to shield against microwave radiation and such that no part of the fastening element is located within the safety portion when the fastening element is in an installed condition in the lead-through device.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2015Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: MIELE & CIE. KGInventors: Thomas Metz, Ruediger Hoehn, Christian Schulze, Joerg Adam, Andre Peters
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Patent number: 9615408Abstract: A cooking system includes a cooking appliance with a microwave heat source and a cooking container for receiving food. The cooking appliance includes a cooking chamber having a muffle and a support device arranged on the muffle that positions the cooking container in the cooking chamber. The cooking container has a base and four side walls arranged transversely to the base as two opposing longitudinal sides and two opposing broadsides. The cooking container, at transitions from the two opposing broadsides to the two opposing longitudinal sides, has four corners, each of which has a rounded region having an external radius of at least 30 mm to maintain a minimum spacing from the muffle to counteract electrical flashovers between the cooking container and the cooking chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2015Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: MIELE & CIE. KGInventors: Thomas Metz, Ruediger Hoehn, Carolin Kaudewitz, Christian Schulze, Andre Peters
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Publication number: 20160066366Abstract: A cooking system includes a cooking appliance with a microwave heat source and a cooking container for receiving food. The cooking appliance includes a cooking chamber having a muffle and a support device arranged on the muffle that positions the cooking container in the cooking chamber. The cooking container has a base and four side walls arranged transversely to the base as two opposing longitudinal sides and two opposing broadsides. The cooking container, at transitions from the two opposing broadsides to the two opposing longitudinal sides, has four corners, each of which has a rounded region having an external radius of at least 30 mm to maintain a minimum spacing from the muffle to counteract electrical flashovers between the cooking container and the cooking chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: Thomas Metz, Ruediger Hoehn, Carolin Kaudewitz, Christian Schulze, Andre Peters
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Publication number: 20160014852Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a cooking chamber with cooking chamber wall, a microwave heat source configured to heat food, and a support device configured to hold a food-supporting member. The cooking chamber wall includes an opening and a lead-through device, and the lead-through device includes a through-hole configured to receive a fastening element of the support device. A tubular guide portion is formed at the through-hole of the lead-through device, and the tubular guide portion includes a safety portion configured to shield against microwave radiation and such that no part of the fastening element is located within the safety portion when the fastening element is in an installed condition in the lead-through device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2015Publication date: January 14, 2016Inventors: Thomas Metz, Ruediger Hoehn, Christian Schulze, Joerg Adam, Andre Peters
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Patent number: 9227152Abstract: A gas feed element for feeding gas into a dust-like loose material having a high permissible differential pressure in respect of the thickness of the gas feed element and a high operating temperature range is provided. The gas feed element has a support plate having openings and is arranged on the side of the filter material facing the gas flow and on the side of the filter material facing away from the gas flow. The gas feed element permits rapid pressurization of a pressure vessel containing a stock of coal dust. Particular configurations of the filter material are provided by metallic filtration mesh with or without support mesh, sintered metal and sintered polymer, in each case having a filter fineness of from 5 ?m to 1000 ?m.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2013Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Ronny Ehrich, Lutz Güldenpfennig, Stefanie Henker, Frank Kirsch, Thomas Metz
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Publication number: 20150177382Abstract: Optical system for tracking and visually examining a target, comprising an image sensor and a lens arrangement having a variable position relative to the image sensor to project an image of the target onto the image sensor, a light source for emitting light in a predetermined wavelength range in the direction of the target and a filter switch for switching an optical filter for selectively allowing the light in the predetermined wavelength range to pass through to the image sensor into and out of the optical path to optionally perform a visual examination and monitoring of the tracking. A tracking device is provided to perform the tracking of the target using the reflected light in the predetermined wavelength range in a sequence of images held by the image sensor when the first optical filter is switched into the optical path.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2014Publication date: June 25, 2015Inventors: Michael Vogel, Thomas Metz, Torsten Kludas, Ute Natura
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Patent number: 8722694Abstract: The present invention relates to bicyclic heterocycles of general formula wherein Ra to Rc, A to E and X are defined as in claim 1, the tautomers, stereoisomers and salts thereof, particularly the physiologically acceptable salts thereof with inorganic or organic acids or bases which have valuable pharmacological properties, in particular an inhibitory effect on signal transduction mediated by tyrosine kinases, their use in the treatment of diseases, especially tumoral diseases and diseases of the lungs and airways, and the preparation thereof.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2012Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Frank Himmelsbach, Elke Langkopf, Thomas Metz, Flavio Solca, Birgit Jung, Anke Baum