Patents by Inventor Thomas Ackermann

Thomas Ackermann 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: 20240141483
    Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure relate to apparatus, systems, and methods of using a transfer chamber. In one or more implementations, gaseous impurities are reduced in a transfer chamber. In one implementation, a method includes receiving user input via a user interface indicating for the substrate processing system to conduct, according to a set of parameters, a service recovery operation that includes, for each cycle of a quantity of pump-purge cycles, operating a vacuum pump according to a base pressure to reduce a quantity of gas in the transfer chamber, then directing a purge gas to the transfer chamber according to a backfill pressure. The method also includes, after the cycles are complete, directing the purge gas into the transfer chamber until a threshold pressure is satisfied, and providing an indication via the user interface that the operation is complete.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas ACKERMANN, Robert HUBER
  • Patent number: 11774306
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to apparatus and methods for semiconductor processing, more particularly, to a system and method for monitoring a rotation-lift assembly of a process chamber. The rotation-lift assembly outputs a torque feedback signal which is processed by a controller to determine if the rotation-lift assembly has a fault or is near failure. The controller determines torque data from the torque feedback signal, compares the torque data to preexisting torque data, and, based on the comparison, issue a notice of a state of the rotation-lift assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Ackermann, Torsten Fankhaenel
  • Publication number: 20230160101
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing cool-down times within a cool-down chamber are described herein. The method and apparatus include a process chamber, a transfer chamber, a dual-handled transfer robot within the transfer chamber, and a cool-down chamber. The dual-handled transfer robot it utilized to transfer a substrate between the process chamber and the cool-down chamber. The amount of time the substrate is disposed on the dual-handled transfer robot before being moved into the cool-down chamber is multiplied by a correction factor and subtracted from an original cool down time to achieve an adjusted cool down time. The adjusted cool down time is determined separately for each substrate being cooled within the cool-down chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas ACKERMANN, Christian HÖPFNER
  • Publication number: 20210069858
    Abstract: A clamping device (1) for holding a workpiece (10), in particular a cutting tool, during machining in a grinding machine, wherein peripheral grinding of the workpiece (10) is performed by means of a particularly approximately cup-shaped grinding wheel, wherein the clamping device (1) comprises a support unit (40) provided to be mounted on the grinding machine, a clamping unit (20) comprising a clamping anvil (12) supported in a clamping anvil holding element (22) and translationally drivable to apply a clamping force parallel to a clamping axis (16), and a drive unit (30) comprising a drive anvil (14) supported in a drive axis (18) and rotationally drivable for rotary orientating the workpiece (10) by means of the drive axis (18). The clamping unit (20) and the drive unit (30) are provided as individual components, which are releasably or slidably attached to the support unit (40) to form a workpiece spindle headstock of the grinding machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas ACKERMANN, Jürg MARTI
  • Patent number: 10843361
    Abstract: A method for controlling a cutting machining process on a machine tool by a P-controller that changes a controlled variable u(t) affecting the cutting machining process based on a control deviation e(t) between a control quantity y(t) and a guide quantity w(t). To improve the control, the control factor (K) of the P-controller is variable and determined depending on instantaneous value of the control quantity y(t) via load characteristic fields. Each load characteristic field specifies a predetermined control factor for a defined value or value range of the control quantity y(t). Further disclosed is a control device for a cutting machine tool, a cutting machine tool, and a process for the cutting machining of a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Yiwen Xu, Herman Yakaria, Tobias Kösler, Thomas Ackermann, Falko Fahnauer
  • Publication number: 20190393060
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to apparatus and methods for semiconductor processing, more particularly, to a system and method for monitoring a rotation-lift assembly of a process chamber. The rotation-lift assembly outputs a torque feedback signal which is processed by a controller to determine if the rotation-lift assembly has a fault or is near failure. The controller determines torque data from the torque feedback signal, compares the torque data to preexisting torque data, and, based on the comparison, issue a notice of a state of the rotation-lift assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas ACKERMANN, Torsten FANKHAENEL
  • Publication number: 20190056210
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a measuring unit (10) for in-process measurement during a machining operation on machine tool, in particular a grinding machine comprising at least a wheel head arranged at a headstock, comprising a measuring head (14), which is movable between a rest position and a measuring position, and means for moving the measuring head between the rest position and the measuring position. The measuring unit (10) is configured such that the rest position and the measuring position of the measuring head (14) are infinitely adjustable by a user by controlling the movement of the measuring head (14) between the rest position and the measuring position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Christian Bobst, Jürg Marti, Thomas Ackermann
  • Publication number: 20180196411
    Abstract: A method of determining an energy-efficient operating point of a machine tool of a machine tool system with which identical workpieces for processing can be supplied to the machine tool sequentially in time. The machine tool has an operating point dependent machine cycle time and an operating point dependent power demand. The machine tool system has at least two machine tools and has a system cycle time, and the machine cycle time is shorter than the system cycle time. The method includes determining the energy-efficient operating point in accordance with a machine cycle time dependent characteristic energy demand function of the machine tool. The characteristic energy demand function represents a machine cycle time dependent energy demand of the machine tool over the system cycle time. A corresponding device and a machine tool system are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Yiwen XU, Herman YAKARIA, Tobias KÖSLER, Thomas ACKERMANN, Johannes BAUER
  • Publication number: 20180169817
    Abstract: A method for reducing an energy demand of a machine tool (2, 3, 4) of a machine tool system (1), wherein the machine tool system (1) comprises at least a first machine tool (3), with a first machine cycle time, and a second machine tool (4), with a second machine cycle time. Identical workpieces (9) are transported sequentially in time for processing (101, 107), first to the first machine tool (3) and then to the second machine tool (4). The second machine cycle time is shorter than the first machine cycle time. The method according to the invention is characterized in that the workpieces (9), after being processed by the first machine tool (3), are collected (105, 106) before they are conveyed (107) to the second machine tool (4) for processing. The invention also concerns a related device (10) and a machine tool system (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Yiwen XU, Herman YAKARIA, Tobias KÖSLER, Thomas ACKERMANN, Johannes BAUER
  • Publication number: 20180133917
    Abstract: A method for controlling a cutting machining process on a machine tool by a P-controller that changes a controlled variable u(t) affecting the cutting machining process based on a control deviation e(t) between a control quantity y(t) and a guide quantity w(t). To improve the control, the control factor (K) of the P-controller is variable and determined depending on instantaneous value of the control quantity y(t) via load characteristic fields. Each load characteristic field specifies a predetermined control factor for a defined value or value range of the control quantity y(t). Further disclosed is a control device for a cutting machine tool, a cutting machine tool, and a process for the cutting machining of a workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Yiwen XU, Herman YAKARIA, Tobias KÖSLER, Thomas ACKERMANN, Falko FAHNAUER
  • Patent number: 8606537
    Abstract: There is provided a system for testing an electronic device in a test arrangement. The test arrangement includes a data interface and a user interface that is configured to output user outputs comprising image and/or audio information. The exemplary system comprises an automation unit configured to be connected via a data connection to the data interface. The user outputs are provided as output via the data interface and can be transmitted via the data connection to the automation unit. The automation unit is configured to carry out an evaluation of the user outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Vodafone Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Tam Lien, Thomas Ackermann
  • Patent number: 8240734
    Abstract: An attachment element is provided with a central cylinder. The first end of the central cylinder has an internal thread and the other end terminates with an outer disk, where it can be screwed down, and passes through an inner disk between the outer disk and its first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Walter Billmaier, Thomas Ackermann, Stefan Schüssler, Udo Mildner
  • Publication number: 20110054824
    Abstract: There is provided a system for testing an electronic device in a test arrangement. The test arrangement includes a data interface and a user interface that is configured to output user outputs comprising image and/or audio information. The exemplary system comprises an automation unit configured to be connected via a data connection to the data interface. The user outputs are provided as output via the data interface and can be transmitted via the data connection to the automation unit. The automation unit is configured to carry out an evaluation of the user outputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: Vodafone Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Tam Lien, Thomas Ackermann
  • Publication number: 20080238129
    Abstract: An attachment element is provided with a central cylinder. The first end of the central cylinder has an internal thread and the other end terminates with an outer disk, where it can be screwed down, and passes through an inner disk between the outer disk and its first end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Walter Billmaier, Thomas Ackermann, Stefan Schussler, Udo Mildner
  • Patent number: 7117049
    Abstract: The loadability of technology object types into a run time system of an industrial controller permits functional expansion of the basic system of the controller as well as technological scaling of the controller. The loaded technology object types are instantiable, and may be distributed, as needed. Technology object types may be loaded in the form of technology packages and a user may use the functionality of the invention directly in a user program with a separation between technological functionality and device functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktlencesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Horn, Thomas Ackermann, Johannes Birzer
  • Patent number: 6839656
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement are provided for predicting measurement data using given measurement data, in which a stochastic process is matched to the given measurement data. Simulation runs are carried out from a given time-point until a final time-point. The forecast measurement data is determined for each simulation run. Measurement data for the final time-point is predicted within a range of values, which is determined by the forecast measurement data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Ackermann, Michael Greiner, Peter Liggesmeyer, Oliver Maeckel
  • Publication number: 20020049959
    Abstract: The roadability of technology object types into a run time system of an industrial controller permits functional expansion of the basic system of the controller as well as technological scaling of the controller. The loaded technology object types are instantiable, and may be distributed, as needed. Technology object types may be loaded in the form of technology packages and a user may use the functionality of the invention directly in a user program with a separation between technological functionality and device functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Wolfgang Horn, Thomas Ackermann, Johannes Birzer
  • Patent number: 4055876
    Abstract: A slide fastener slider has body and diamond preferably of molded plastic parts. The parts are held together in snapfastener fashion. Typically, the slider body carries a head and the diamond an opening or socket. Molded integrally with the diamond is an arching locking arm and a pull tab is provided preferably formed of a pair of cords with spaced crosspieces. The tab is provided with an anchoring end adapted to be trapped under inward flanges at the top of the socket opening, one of the crosspieces being disposed under the locking arm to raise the arm during the pulling of the pull tab. The aforementioned anchoring end prevents overtaxing the locking arm, absorbing the pulling force beyond a preset limited amount borne by the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1977
    Assignee: Scovill Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Walter Thomas Ackermann, Jeremias Anthony Martins